"I was so saddened when Jan called to tell me that Dick had died. He was such a great friend & person. A one of a kind!!! Dick is a classmate of mine from St. Mary?s University, Winona, MN. I remember in the dorm, we needed more players for our intramural Flag Football Team and we approached Dick. He said, he never played football?.so we told him?when we have the ball?just stand with your arms folded across your chest & don?t let anyone past you. No one got past Dick! At one of the 5 year reunions at St. Mary?s, we all decided to go Bluff Climbing on campus. My kids are still in awe?.on how Dick went up those Bluffs, ahead of all of us, like a mountain goat. Dick was an active volunteer in both recruiting attendees to our reunions & donations in the name of The Class of ?63, for St. Mary?s. He always had a good joke! His sense of humor was fantastic! A couple years ago, my wife & I drove up to Bancroft & Dick/Jan showed us around town & the DEITERING BROS. BUSINESS. As we were driving around, Dick had to stop & take some cans to a Collection/Recycling Center. His love of his town was evident. A couple months ago when I last saw Dick, he said?.\"Jim, if you are driving down the road and see ?ALUMA? on a trailer?.those are made in Bancroft\". Once again, he showed his love & pride in his town of Bancroft. Since our graduation?..along with other members of the St. Mary?s Class of ?63 and their families??we have all become closer friends?.having had a lot of FUN & GOOD MEMORIES together.....thus the passing of Dick is a huge loss, to his Wife, Family, Bancroft, Classmates, & his numerous FRIENDS. But, knowing Dick, he?ll be telling his jokes in heaven!!! JIM PACHOLSKI - FOX RIVER GROVE, IL ST. MARY\'S CLASS OF \'63 "
In loving memory of
Richard Deitering
June 1, 1941 - August 21, 2021
A funeral Mass for Dick was held Friday, August 27, 2021 at 10:30 AM at Divine Mercy Parish - St. John's Catholic Church in Bancroft. The funeral was live streamed on Divine Mercy YouTube https://youtu.be/7D3S15UCW-I
Burial was in St. John's Catholic Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Bancroft American Legion.
Albert Richard "Dick" Deitering was born June 1, 1941, in Algona, Iowa. He was the son of Albert and Agnes (Kollasch) Deitering. Growing up in Bancroft, he graduated from Saint John's Catholic High School in 1959. After high school, he attended and graduated from St. Mary's College in Winona, MN. After college, he entered the Army in 1963, where he often thought his commanding officers wanted his opinion. By the time of his discharge in 1965, he was very good at push-ups. Upon returning to Bancroft, he worked for his father at Deitering Implement. In 1966, he and his brother Tom purchased Deitering Implement from their father and formed Deitering Brothers, Inc.
In 1967, Dick thought Jan Menke deserved a free drink at the Red Barn. Little did either one know the journey it would take them on. Dick and Jan were married at St. John's Catholic Church on June 27, 1970. In 1971, they welcomed their first child, Keith. Although they knew they had done well, they were convinced they could do better, so, in 1973, they welcomed their daughter, Jennifer. While they felt this attempt was an improvement, they believed they could do even better. Finally, in 1975, they welcomed their third child, Alan. Depending on who you ask, they either achieved perfection or decided to not to risk it again.
Dick and Jan raised their three children in Bancroft where Dick was involved in various volunteer organizations, including Exceptional Opportunities, Rotary, Trees Forever, and the Bancroft Community Foundation. He retired from Deitering Brothers in 2004 and enjoyed wintering with his wife in Florida and Arizona.
Dick enjoyed spending time at the lake, traveling, fishing, golfing, snow skiing, and trying to figure out how to save twenty-three cents on any purchase. He loved a good drink, a good laugh, and good times with his family and friends.
Dick passed away August 21, 2021, at the age of 80.
He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Jan (Menke) Deitering of Bancroft; three children Keith (Sara) Deitering of Spirit Lake, Jennifer (Brad) Mann of Clive, and Alan (Echo) Deitering of Bancroft; nine grandchildren, Kayla (Alex) Richard of Sioux Falls, SD, Zachary Deitering of Iowa City, Andrew Deitering of Spirit Lake, Emily Mann of Des Moines, Adam Mann and Libby Mann both of Clive; Aidan Deitering, Alec Deitering, and Asher Deitering all of Bancroft; two great granddaughters Raeya and Leta Richard of Sioux Falls, SD. He is also survived by one brother, Tom (Esther) Deitering of Bancroft; two sisters, Darlene Jansen of Bancroft, Janet Person of Durango, CO; three sister-in-laws, Marilyn Lensing of Algona, Alice Hansen of Schaumburg, IL, Kay McCleish of Streamwood, IL; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; Albert and Agnes; in-laws, Richard and Adria Menke; a sister, Donna Olson; five brother-in-laws, Lamont Jansen, Rich Olson, Gail Person, Tom "Doc" Lensing, and Duane McCleish; a nephew, David Person; and niece, Becky Reilly.
Tributes
"RIP Dick, born a few months before me. He and Jan were a couple of my favorite patients. Don Kingfield "
"While not fortunate enough to have met Albert Richard \"Dick\" Deitering, my friend Jim Pacholski expressed high compliments, as I do for Jim. A friend of Jim\'s has to be a very good person to put up with a Polack! I would like for all of us to have met. Hold \"Deitering\" close to your heart while sharing his stories, helping with moving forward."
"Jim & Jane Schrandt Jan & Family Our hearts are very heavy at the loss of Dick. We have so many cherished memories of spending time with you and Dick - from Dick standing up in our wedding, our many visits to Bancroft, time in Sarasota, and even meeting in Rome. One cherished memory from one of our last trips to Bancroft was Dick working in his garage and one of the Grandsons picking up some clippers off the shelf. I asked Dick if he should have the clippers and Dick said he couldn\'t hurt them. Dick was always so easy-going, and it was fun being with him. We should all take a page from his book. Please know our prayers are with you and your family. \"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus\" Philippians 4:7"
"Dick is catching that that got away . Prayers for the Family. "
"Deep sympathy and many thoughts and prayers to the family at this very difficult time. God bless"
"My deepest sympathies to you and your family. I can\'t make it home but am sending hugs and prayers your way. Sherri Huizenga"
"My deepest sympathies to Jan and family"
"Love this picture of Dick! I always enjoyed having a drink and cigar with him in Bancroft on the deck or when I was visiting Apache. He was one of a kind, my kind! We will miss this wonderful friend and neighbor. There are many wonderful people in heaven waiting to welcome you in.??"
"Our deepest sympathy to Dicks loved ones. He was always so kind and friendly to us. He will be missed. Dale & Elaine Price"
"So proud to call Dick my uncle. I\'ve been blessed with so many great aunts and uncles, showing us the RIGHT way to live. Dick certainly did. One of those true gentlemen more interested in listening to you talk about yourself and your family that he was talking about himself. To Jan and my cousins, I hope the tough time you\'re going through now will be lessened somewhat by what a wonderful soul Dick was here on earth and is now. And thank you for sharing your wonderful husband and father with us. "
"Jan and family Our sincerest condolences to all of you. I know you all have good and fun memories of Dick and keep those alive with laughter and tears, memories are forever. Thoughts and prayers for all of you in the next few days, weeks and months as you remember Dick as a husband, father, and grandfather. God bless your family ?"
"My sincere sympathy to you Jan and your family. "
"Jan and family - we are so very sorry to hear about your loss. We have so many fond memories from euchre/carribage to walleye stories! He will be so missed by all. Doug & Diane"